My mother used to tell me that growing up, and yes, I learned to mend my clothing. If I didn't catch the beginnings of a dropped hem in a dress, pretty soon I'd have to hem the WHOLE dress. So, yes, stitching 10 stitches was definitely preferable to sewing the whole doggone seam.

The same goes for home maintenance. If you are a homeowner, well, you must MAINTAIN the home. As a REALTOR, I run into deferred maintenance all of the time (procrastination in the repair fields) and what might have been a minor twist of a screwdriver, a few squeezes of a caulking gun, or half a can of paint...become big dollar projects that need professional assistance.

3. LED Lights. They last forever...or at least long enough. Be green, save energy.

4. Carpet cleaning. Fido, Fluffy, the kids, you...all sorts of dirt and debris and more are hiding there. Extend the life of your carpet, and help keep your home smelling fresher, by cleaning your carpets every so often.

5. That running toilet. The dripping faucet...that's money down the drain.

6. Bugs. If you are not, at the very least, spraying yourself, hire a professional service. Monthly, quarterly...a dollar spent now can save hundreds and hundreds down the road. Termites, mice, bees, woodpeckers...they are all nuisances that add up to big bills.

Oh, and a bonus. 7. Paint. Scrape and paint that fascia board, eves, under your patio, trim, etc. Avoid dry rot as long as possible by applying a little paint. Besides, it shows pride of ownership.

Have the house your neighbors envy. A stitch in time saves nine...and $$$$$

Regarding the material posted in my blog postings, these are my personal opinions and not those of Long Realty Company.

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